Higgins Joins North Lanarkshire’s Sporting Hall of Fame
Four-time World Champion John Higgins joined North Lanarkshire’s Sporting Hall of Fame in a special ceremony in Ravenscraig this week.
As well as Wishaw’s Higgins, legendary Scottish sports stars such as The Lisbon Lions, Sir Matt Busby, Ricky Burns, The Renicks Sisters, Angela Robertson, Lynne McCafferty and Sandy Jones were among those awarded recognition at the Ravenscraig Sports Facility.
The full list of inductees includes:
• Ricky Burns, boxing
• Sir Matt Busby, football
• David Crabb, swimming
• John Higgins, snooker
• Sandy Jones, golf
• Budhi Kunderan, cricket
• Lisbon Lions, football
• Lynn McCafferty, handball
• Tom McKean, athletics
• Johnathan Paterson, football
• Louise & Kimberley Renicks, judo
• Angela Robertson (nee McDowell), swimming
Higgins at the ceremony in Ravenscraig
Cllr Jim Logue, Leader of North Lanarkshire Council, said: “Sport plays an important part in the rich heritage of our area.
“We were blessed with an abundance of candidates for our inaugural sports hall of fame. We were inundated with suggestions about possible candidates and the hall of fame has really caught the imagination of the people of North Lanarkshire.
“The deliberations of the judging panel were long and detailed. Some will argue for other names but no-one can argue about the contribution made by our inaugural inductees.
“All our inductees are people who have made a huge contribution to sport at the highest level. They inspire us with their dedication and commitment to being the best, sometimes in the face of extreme adversity.
“Their example is worth following, from competitiveness on the world stage to shaping the future of their sport, and from overcoming their own challenges to inspiring generations to participate in sport and exercise.
“It is fitting that these initial inductees will be recognised in our world-class facility at Ravenscraig. My hope is that young people from North Lanarkshire and beyond are inspired by them, not just to participate in sport but to learn the lessons of perseverance and dedication.
“It has been a pleasure to chair the judging panel and I would like to thank my fellow judges for their participation in what was a real challenge.
“I would also like to thank the hundreds of people who took the time to let us know their views. Most of all, I would like to thank the inductees and their families for the way in which they have embraced the concept of a hall of fame.”